Comments on: DPJ government to slash budgets for scientific research and military recruitment http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/ Japan News Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:33:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Paparazzzzzzi http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-387046 Paparazzzzzzi Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:21:46 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-387046 Here you go, Kevin: http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/4475160/ Here you go, Kevin:

http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/4475160/

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]]> By: Senor Science http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-387022 Senor Science Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:53:18 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-387022 http://genkienglish.net/teaching/eigo-note-or-even-english-to-be-abolished-gov-wants-you-to-choose Apparently DPJ is trying to reverse the English language reforms the LDP put through. I admit that the elementary school English textbook is pretty bad, but at least it was an attempt in the right direction. CHANGE INDEED! http://genkienglish.net/teaching/eigo-note-or-even-english-to-be-abolished-gov-wants-you-to-choose

Apparently DPJ is trying to reverse the English language reforms the LDP put through. I admit that the elementary school English textbook is pretty bad, but at least it was an attempt in the right direction.

CHANGE INDEED!

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]]> By: The Overthinker http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386987 The Overthinker Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:45:17 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386987 This really shows that politics should be kept out of science all together. The moment politics enters science it becomes cherry-picking to suppport preconceived notions. And while you are right about the NIMBY aspect of alternative energy, they are not all "non-solutions." Respectable progress is being made in solar, at the very least (ref. Sept. 09 National Geographic Magazine). "some rightists do object to a things involving biotech, but so do leftists" --> Let's keep this even: "some rightists do object to a things involving biotech, but so do some leftists." I get pissed off at silly leftist ideas like paying carbon offsets to fly airlines, but silly rightist ideas about religion piss me off more. If politics and science are bad, religion and science are a deathtrap - despite Gould's "overlapping magisterium" idea. This really shows that politics should be kept out of science all together. The moment politics enters science it becomes cherry-picking to suppport preconceived notions. And while you are right about the NIMBY aspect of alternative energy, they are not all “non-solutions.” Respectable progress is being made in solar, at the very least (ref. Sept. 09 National Geographic Magazine).

“some rightists do object to a things involving biotech, but so do leftists” –> Let’s keep this even: “some rightists do object to a things involving biotech, but so do some leftists.”

I get pissed off at silly leftist ideas like paying carbon offsets to fly airlines, but silly rightist ideas about religion piss me off more. If politics and science are bad, religion and science are a deathtrap – despite Gould’s “overlapping magisterium” idea.

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]]> By: Kwyjibo http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386984 Kwyjibo Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:01:03 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386984 Not even 2nd place. According to the Top 500 supercomputer list, Japan is already in 6th place (after the US, UK, Germany, France and China). <a href="http://www.top500.org/stats/list/34/countries" rel="nofollow">http://www.top500.org/stats/list/34/countries</a> Not even 2nd place. According to the Top 500 supercomputer list, Japan is already in 6th place (after the US, UK, Germany, France and China).

http://www.top500.org/stats/list/34/countries

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]]> By: Level3 http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386969 Level3 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:33:35 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386969 As far as extremists and science, some rightists do object to a things involving biotech (human cloning, embryo use), but so do leftists (human cloning, GM foods, and use of ANY animal testing at all, other than humans). Leftists make an exception for pie-in-the-sky energy research, especially if it involves things that are non-solutions, like wind or solar. But even then object to any actual energy development, claiming it would "destroy" the "habitat of a threatened species" (which they can claim over 99% of the Earth's surface) or spoil the view of the beach from their Nantucket mansions. Leftists also reserve a place in their heart for climate research. And we're all seeing how leftist climatologists operate right now via the leaked files. Doesn't really count as "science" anymore. Why work hard to make a realistic climate simulator when it's just so HARD, and cherry-picking or making-up data is just easier, more convenient, and gets you awards from leftist groups, grants from leftist billionaires, and interviews on CNN? It's one reason I hope Japan does more climate research. There's less politics here in the environmental research labs. As far as extremists and science, some rightists do object to a things involving biotech (human cloning, embryo use), but so do leftists (human cloning, GM foods, and use of ANY animal testing at all, other than humans).

Leftists make an exception for pie-in-the-sky energy research, especially if it involves things that are non-solutions, like wind or solar. But even then object to any actual energy development, claiming it would “destroy” the “habitat of a threatened species” (which they can claim over 99% of the Earth’s surface) or spoil the view of the beach from their Nantucket mansions.

Leftists also reserve a place in their heart for climate research. And we’re all seeing how leftist climatologists operate right now via the leaked files. Doesn’t really count as “science” anymore. Why work hard to make a realistic climate simulator when it’s just so HARD, and cherry-picking or making-up data is just easier, more convenient, and gets you awards from leftist groups, grants from leftist billionaires, and interviews on CNN?
It’s one reason I hope Japan does more climate research. There’s less politics here in the environmental research labs.

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]]> By: Orillion http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386953 Orillion Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:49:56 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386953 I must not have read it right... did that DPJ tard compare SDF exhibits to help recruitment to Disney World? I must not have read it right… did that DPJ tard compare SDF exhibits to help recruitment to Disney World?

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]]> By: The Overthinker http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386943 The Overthinker Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:47:26 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386943 "I assume you're going to blurt out a google searched stem cell comment after this" Since your idea of an erudite riposte is "reallllly" then I won't even bother. “I assume you’re going to blurt out a google searched stem cell comment after this”

Since your idea of an erudite riposte is “reallllly” then I won’t even bother.

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]]> By: helical http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386940 helical Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:51:14 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386940 Ren Ho got spammed the crap out of on Twitter regarding the supercomputer issue from many many concerned citizens who thought that the cut was a VERY dumb idea, and I assume many people were quite vocal about it through many other channels. I don't know if that actually worked or some more sensible DPJ politicians (!) recognized it for the bad idea that it was, but the decision looked like it was already getting reversed two days after it's announcement. スパコン「凍結」せず…菅戦略相、仕分け見直し http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/news/20091122-OYT1T00815.htm But Ren Ho will be remembered for a long time to come as the idiot who uttered "Do you need to be in 1st place? Why can't you be satisfied with being in 2nd place?" in regards to the rat race to develop faster and faster supercomputers. The DPJ is already being regarded in many discourses as crippling Japan from the inside out, and comments like these are symbolic in that sense. I keep on saying the DPJ doesn't know how to run a country and they have no plan, and it's things like these that highlight my point. Strangling a vital interest out of sheer shortsightetedness and ignorance, and then quickly reversing it's decision when people whine about it. It's fortunate the latter worked in this case, but it's still worrisome about what they'll do in the future on reflex just to try to keep whiners happy. Ren Ho got spammed the crap out of on Twitter regarding the supercomputer issue from many many concerned citizens who thought that the cut was a VERY dumb idea, and I assume many people were quite vocal about it through many other channels.
I don’t know if that actually worked or some more sensible DPJ politicians (!) recognized it for the bad idea that it was, but the decision looked like it was already getting reversed two days after it’s announcement.

スパコン「凍結」せず…菅戦略相、仕分け見直し
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/news/20091122-OYT1T00815.htm

But Ren Ho will be remembered for a long time to come as the idiot who uttered “Do you need to be in 1st place? Why can’t you be satisfied with being in 2nd place?” in regards to the rat race to develop faster and faster supercomputers. The DPJ is already being regarded in many discourses as crippling Japan from the inside out, and comments like these are symbolic in that sense.

I keep on saying the DPJ doesn’t know how to run a country and they have no plan, and it’s things like these that highlight my point.
Strangling a vital interest out of sheer shortsightetedness and ignorance, and then quickly reversing it’s decision when people whine about it. It’s fortunate the latter worked in this case, but it’s still worrisome about what they’ll do in the future on reflex just to try to keep whiners happy.

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]]> By: kevin http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386938 kevin Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:36:30 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386938 saying that, I disagree with the leftist comment as well, if you crack open a newspaper you'd probably see that the Obama administration just increased funding for Energy research by 18% bringing the funding to 4.76 billion. Created like 1,500 jobs or something. But before that funding was really flat... saying that, I disagree with the leftist comment as well, if you crack open a newspaper you’d probably see that the Obama administration just increased funding for Energy research by 18% bringing the funding to 4.76 billion. Created like 1,500 jobs or something. But before that funding was really flat…

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]]> By: kevin http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386937 kevin Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:25:10 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386937 Well, I'm not sure that the dollar is the reason, Asian countries are actually attempting to boost the dollar's worth. If the US really wanted to boost the dollar's worth it would be pretty simple, bring up interest rates, but nobody wants that. Problem is no one wants to invest in currencies, because you really can't expect any big returns and no dividends, its lame. Well, I’m not sure that the dollar is the reason, Asian countries are actually attempting to boost the dollar’s worth. If the US really wanted to boost the dollar’s worth it would be pretty simple, bring up interest rates, but nobody wants that. Problem is no one wants to invest in currencies, because you really can’t expect any big returns and no dividends, its lame.

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]]> By: kevin http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386936 kevin Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:22:29 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386936 rightist politicians have never been fans of hard science and engineering? really Overthinker? reallllly. If you have a butt, I think you're talking out of it right now. But then again I assume you're going to blurt out a google searched stem cell comment after this. rightist politicians have never been fans of hard science and engineering? really Overthinker? reallllly. If you have a butt, I think you’re talking out of it right now. But then again I assume you’re going to blurt out a google searched stem cell comment after this.

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]]> By: The Overthinker http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386935 The Overthinker Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:08:49 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386935 But hey, rightist politicians have never really been fans of hard science and engineering, those things just “destroy morals”, and deny GOD!!! But hey, rightist politicians have never really been fans of hard science and engineering, those things just “destroy morals”, and deny GOD!!!

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]]> By: PewPew http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386931 PewPew Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:27:03 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386931 Hmmmmmm........ it seems that our decreased American military-industrial complex spending has hit the Japanese too! All part of the poor global economy, I suppose. I guess we've stopped shelling out money to have foreign countries like Japan do our research for us. Of course, with the Dollar the way it is, I'm also not too surprised - things must seem extremely, unbelievably expensive to do anything in Japan at the moment, looking at it from the US Dollar perspective. The money is being funneled over to India and Pakistan, you can just see it happening right in front of our eyes. Hmmmmmm…….. it seems that our decreased American military-industrial complex spending has hit the Japanese too! All part of the poor global economy, I suppose. I guess we’ve stopped shelling out money to have foreign countries like Japan do our research for us. Of course, with the Dollar the way it is, I’m also not too surprised – things must seem extremely, unbelievably expensive to do anything in Japan at the moment, looking at it from the US Dollar perspective.
The money is being funneled over to India and Pakistan, you can just see it happening right in front of our eyes.

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]]> By: Level3 http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386929 Level3 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:11:45 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386929 Without scientific research, what does Japan have? 2 things. Jack and shit. No natural resources, no food self-sufficiency, shrinking labor pool, etc, etc. Without science and engineering, Japan would be nothing. But hey, leftist politicians have never really been fans of hard science and engineering, those things just "destroy the planet", and that math is so HARD!!! Plus technology can end up with evil corporations making evil profits by selling really cool shit to people. But corporations are evil, and technology is evil, and profits are very very evil, so fuck that, eh? Why give funds to something so hard to understand when there are so many perfectly good and easy-to-understand ways to throw money away with zero benefits. And what a great way to commemorate (or acknowledge) the "Japanese" Nobel Prize winners this year, than to say "Fuck you!" to science, and drive even MORE talent out of Japan and to America where they will be taken seriously and rewarded for their efforts. Without scientific research, what does Japan have?
2 things.
Jack and shit.

No natural resources, no food self-sufficiency, shrinking labor pool, etc, etc.

Without science and engineering, Japan would be nothing.

But hey, leftist politicians have never really been fans of hard science and engineering, those things just “destroy the planet”, and that math is so HARD!!! Plus technology can end up with evil corporations making evil profits by selling really cool shit to people. But corporations are evil, and technology is evil, and profits are very very evil, so fuck that, eh?

Why give funds to something so hard to understand when there are so many perfectly good and easy-to-understand ways to throw money away with zero benefits.

And what a great way to commemorate (or acknowledge) the “Japanese” Nobel Prize winners this year, than to say “Fuck you!” to science, and drive even MORE talent out of Japan and to America where they will be taken seriously and rewarded for their efforts.

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]]> By: Ken Y-N http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386907 Ken Y-N Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:52:17 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386907 <a href="http://www.japansoc.com/Politics/whaling-harpooned-by-budget-cuts-1/" rel="nofollow">That's already taken care of</a>. That’s already taken care of.

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]]> By: Damien http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386895 Damien Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:39:45 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386895 Let's stop wasting money on another scientific research, whaling. Let’s stop wasting money on another scientific research, whaling.

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]]> By: Kobeboy http://www.japanprobe.com/2009/11/26/dpj-government-to-slash-budgets-for-scientific-research-and-military-recruitment/comment-page-1/#comment-386878 Kobeboy Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:16:19 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=14274#comment-386878 Thanks for posting this story, more than anything else this has pretty far-reaching implications on the way things are done in Japan. I agree with your view as well; it's good to examine wasteful spending, but it's not good to make it the examination into a soap opera. There is no time to make considered judgements. It's like an episode of some perverse reality show, with real world consequences. If the recommendations are all about the bottom line then that is really not a good way to do science. The potential payback is too long-term to be able to judge. I think also that the committee recommended slashing the budget of the new science museum, because it doesn't generate enough revenue or visitors. It's new, so you don't expect it to be a rip-roaring success in its first year or two. By cutting its budget your ensuring that it cannot attract new visitors. Finally these kind of educational projects are all about stimulating the next generation into aspiring to use their intellects and talents for the common good. It can't be measured using spreadsheets and normal metrics. Thanks for posting this story, more than anything else this has pretty far-reaching implications on the way things are done in Japan. I agree with your view as well; it’s good to examine wasteful spending, but it’s not good to make it the examination into a soap opera. There is no time to make considered judgements. It’s like an episode of some perverse reality show, with real world consequences. If the recommendations are all about the bottom line then that is really not a good way to do science. The potential payback is too long-term to be able to judge.

I think also that the committee recommended slashing the budget of the new science museum, because it doesn’t generate enough revenue or visitors. It’s new, so you don’t expect it to be a rip-roaring success in its first year or two. By cutting its budget your ensuring that it cannot attract new visitors. Finally these kind of educational projects are all about stimulating the next generation into aspiring to use their intellects and talents for the common good. It can’t be measured using spreadsheets and normal metrics.

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